Archives: Press Releases

Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand that operates 160+ athletic country clubs across North America, has released its 2023 lineup of more than 25 premier athletic events. Composed of cycling, running and  triathlon events, the portfolio spans 11 states and draws participants from around the world, helping them embrace their endurance sports passions and live healthy, happy lives. Unique to Life Time athletic events is that they are part of the comprehensive Life Time ecosystem of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment destinations, programs, events and services for people 90 days to 90+ years old.

 

2023 Life Time athletic events highlights:

• The return of the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda race series featuring seven iconic gravel and mountain bike events in which 70 athletes will compete for a $250,000 prize purse.
• A new mountain bike event in Arkansas, Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda, which bookends the iconic Big Sugar Gravel weekend in October and spurs the creation of a week-long Big Sugar Classic industry bike festival.

 

The 2023 Life Time athletic events lineup includes:

• March 5: Baptist Health 305 Half Marathon and 5K, Fla. – A fast and flat run through the coastal streets of Miami and Miami Beach makes for a much-loved destination race for more than 3,000 runners. Registration is now open.
• April 20-23: Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental, Calif. – The world’s premier cycling festival complete with competitive racing and recreational tours takes place over four days in beautiful Monterey, Calif. Registration for events and camping is now open. View the full schedule of events here. The Fuego XL race at Sea Otter Classic is the first Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda event and now a Leadville qualifier.
• May 21: Life Time Chicago Spring Half Marathon & 10K, Ill. – This half marathon and 10K celebrates the city’s emergence from winter hibernation and delivers an intimate urban setting with a gorgeous lakefront course. Registration is now open.
• June 3: Garmin UNBOUND Gravel presented by Craft Sportswear, Kan. – The cherished, ultra-endurance bicycling challenge of 25, 50, 100, 200 or 350 miles of gnarly gravel through the Flint Hills of Kansas. The lottery is closed but new for this year is a waitlist. This is a Life Time Grand Prix event.
• June 17: Life Time Leadville Trail Marathon and Heavy Half presented by La Sportiva, Colo. – Run through the historic mining district’s challenging old mining roads and trails, hitting a peak altitude of 13,185 feet with breathtaking views. This event is sold out.
• June 24: Stages Cycling Lutsen 99er, Minn. – This Leadville qualifier is 99 miles, 7,000 feet of climbing, 7% single track, 10% pavement, 40% snowmobile/ski trail, 43% Forest Service Road and 100% fun! Registration is now open.
• July 8: Life Time Crusher in the Tushar presented by The Creamery, Utah – An annual favorite for many, this event remains in the heart of cyclists around the country as an ultimate test of endurance. Ride through the captivating landscape of Utah’s Tushar Mountains. This event is sold out. A waitlist will open soon. This is a Life Time Grand Prix event.
• July 8: Life Time Silver Rush 50 Run presented by La Sportiva, Colo. – Take on 50 miles of extreme territory that starts at 10,200 feet and reaches 12,000 feet on four separate occasions to prepare you for the pinnacle Leadville Trail 100 Run. Registration is now open. 
• July 9: Stages Cycling Silver Rush 50 MTB, Colo. – Cut the Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB in half, remove all the easy parts, throw in technical descents, burning lungs and wild animals and you’ll have a good understanding of what this challenging race entails. Registration is now open.
• July 15: Stages Cycling Tahoe Trail MTB, Calif. – Ride rocky summits and through breathtaking pine forests with your choice of a single 50K-loop, or two rounds for a chance to qualify for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Registration is now open.
• July 28-30: Stages Cycling Leadville Stage Race, Colo. – Some say it’s more leisurely than the single-day race while others consider it a more difficult challenge as DOMS has time to set in; this race takes you along the famed Leadville Trail 100 MTB route over the course of three days. This event is sold out.
• August 12: Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Colo. – Known as the race of all races, you’ll need to dig deep into an inexhaustible well of guts, grit, and determination to conquer 100 miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. The 2023 Lottery results were announced on Jan. 9. All entrants were notified of their status via email. This is a Life Time Grand Prix event.
• August 13: Life Time Leadville 10K Run presented by La Sportiva, Colo. – Held the weekend of the historic Stages Cycling Leadville Trail 100 MTB, the Leadville 10K Run is the shortest run in the series but covers the first and last 3.1 miles of the infamous Leadville Trail 100 Run. Registration is now open.
• August 19: Life Time Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by La Sportiva, Colo. – This is it – the legendary “Race Across The Sky” 100-mile run, where it all started back in 1983, and where legends are created and limits are tested from elevations of 9,200 to 12,600 feet. The 2023 Lottery results were announced on Jan. 9. All entrants were notified of their status via email. 
• August 26-27: Life Time Chicago Triathlon, Ill. – The largest triathlon in the United States in an iconic location! Race weekend consists of four standalone triathlons: Kids Tri, SuperSprint, Sprint, and International distances beginning with a swim in Lake Michigan. Registration is now open.
• September 16: Life Time Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival presented by Trek, Wis. – Ride amongst beautiful autumn foliage. Each year, thousands of enthusiastic off-road bicyclists take part in this trek descending on the towns of Cable and Hayward in northwestern Wisconsin. Registration is now open. This is a Life Time Grand Prix event.

 

• September 24: Life Time Chicago Half Marathon presented by HOKA & 5K, Ill. – This race highlights Chicago’s south shore and is the only event to shut down both lanes of Lake Shore Drive to offer traffic-free views, finishing at the Statue of the Republic. Registration is now open.
• September 30: Life Time The Rad Dirt Fest presented by Wahoo Fitness, Colo. – Entering its third year, this eclectic event takes place in Trinidad, Colorado amongst the remote and rugged Spanish Peaks. Registration is now open. This is the “Wild Card” event in the Life Time Grand Prix presented by Mazda.
• October 1: Life Time New York City Triathlon, N.Y. – A marquee event in an iconic location! Start your morning with a jump into the Hudson, bike through the streets of Manhattan and end with a run through Central Park at New York City’s only International distance triathlon. Registration is now open.
• October 15: Life Time Little Sugar MTB presented by Mazda, Ark. – Take on the best mountain bike trails that Bentonville and Bella Vista have to offer! 100K, 50K or 20K courses available that will have your legs burning and hearts pumping. This new event will be a Leadville Trail 100 MTB qualifier. Registration opens March 1. 
• October 21: Life Time Big Sugar Gravel presented by Mazda, Ark. – Entering its third year, Life Time designed this course, which winds through the fall foliage of Northwest Arkansas outside Bentonville, to be challenging but rewarding with elevation gain throughout, loose gravel, and pavement only at the start and finish. There is a 100 mile or 50 mile race distance. Registration opens March 1. This is a Life Time Grand Prix event.
• November 4: Stages Cycling Austin Rattler MTB & Life Time Austin Rattler Run, TX – Saddle up for a Texas mountain biking or running favorite. The MTB offers a 20-mile loop course (with option to do 60-miles as a Leadville qualifier). The run course features 10-miles of single track fire roads and granite formations (with option to do 30-miles as a Leadville qualifier). Registration is now open for both events.
• November 24: Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago, Ill. – Join fellow runners, joggers and walkers at Chicago’s largest and most iconic Thanksgiving Day race. Registration opens March 8.
• November 24: Baptist Health Turkey Trot Miami 5K/10K & Kids Race owned and produced by Life Time, Fla. – Offering a distance for every age and pace, this family friendly race takes place in beautiful, sunny Tropical Park. Registration is now open.
• January 27-28, 2024: Kicking off 2024 is the Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon, Fla. – The Tropical 5K (Saturday) is a favorite warm-up to Sunday’s marquee marathon and half marathon distances. More than 15,000 athletes will hit the pavement on one of the nation’s most scenic courses in order to be dubbed #MiamiFamous. Life Time member registration opens July 25 / public registration August 1.

 

Life Time athletic events also serve as an opportunity to change the lives of America’s children through the Life Time Foundation‘s charity slot program, which allows athletes to bypass registration lotteries by agreeing to fundraise for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which works with school districts across the country to improve school food nutrition and get kids moving.

 

More information about all Life Time athletic events including event registrations, visit https://my.lifetime.life/athletic-events.html.

 

About Life Time®, Inc.

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 30,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.

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BOULDER, Colo. (Feb. 27, 2023) – Matador Travel Equipment, the award-winning producer of high-performance travel equipment, today launched the SEG45 Travel Pack, a fully integrated solution for one-bag travel. Offering maximum organization in a minimalist design, the SEG45 combines the best assets of a backpack, duffle bag and packing cubes into a groundbreaking new architecture designed for organization.

“Our SEG Series just got a major upgrade,” said Chris Clearman, founder and CEO of Matador. “We listened to years of consumer feedback to offer a completely new design. It still offers the same hyper-organized segmentation that the series is known for – now with stronger and more sustainable materials and a bevy of new design features to stand up to the rigors of adventure travel.”

The SEG45 Travel Pack is made with bluesign®-certified materials and offers 45-liters of capacity while still meeting carry-on requirements for most airlines. The unique segmented design allows travelers to organize contents by type, day or size – with its five externally accessed pockets. The bag additionally features a separate clamshell compartment to separate large or dirty items, along with a multitude of other features, including:

• Exterior-access laptop pocket
• Padded back panel and shoulder straps
• Detachable shoulder straps and removable sternum strap
• Stowable backpack straps for use as a checked back
• Rugged carry handles on top, bottom, back and side
• YKK® PU-coated sealing zippers and zipper security loops on all external pockets
• Reflective webbing details, visible on all sides

The SEG45 joins the recently launched SEG28 Backpack and Globerider45 Travel Backpack to round out Matador’s line of high-end travel bags.

“While the SEG28 is a burly backpack designed for weekend trips or EDC, and the Globerider45 is ideal for those who crave a more traditional travel backpack, the SEG45 fills the needs of the minimalist adventure traveler,” continued Clearman. “It’s light, it’s organized, and it’s highly efficient – just like those who Travel Hard!”

 The Matador SEG45 (MSRP: $199.99) is available now at select retailers and online at http://www.matadorup.com/.

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About Matador Travel Equipment

Matador designs high-performance travel equipment designed for objective-based travel. The team’s strengths in design, material technology, and construction give them an edge in developing innovative products that bring outdoor expertise to the pursuit of travel. For more information about Matador, visit www.MatadorUp.com.

Hard and soft sided lines use recycled content, nylon and

 post-consumer recycled plastic priced between $99 to $249

Leveraging consumers’ continued desire to spend time outdoors and pursue healthier lifestyles, Moosejaw, a leading retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, today announces the launch of the Moosejaw Cooler Collection. The collection of hard- and soft-sided coolers is designed for everyone from family picnickers to  outdoor enthusiasts, arriving at retail on February 27 and priced between $99 to $249. 

“A high performance cooler is critical to many outdoor activities, but can be tough to afford for many,” said Eoin Comerford, CEO, Moosejaw. “We set out to create a line of coolers that hold ice for days and days without breaking the bank. These rugged coolers incorporate thoughtful features and premium components and each is manufactured from recycled content wherever possible.”

The Moosejaw Cooler Collection has a total of six products: the roto-molded, hard-sided Ice Fort™ coolers in 25, 50 and 55 quart sizes; and the welded, soft-sided Chilladilla™ coolers in 24, 36 and 42 can sizes.

Hard Sided

 Ice Fort™ 25 Hard Cooler

With high performance insulation up to 2.5” thick, the Ice Fort Hard Cooler retains ice for days. The Microban ® antimicrobial protection on the interiors helps control odors. The easy-open cam latches & freezer-grade gasket seal the cold in and the hot air out. The SinchStrap carrying system converts from shoulder strap to a cinch handle making the cooler more comfortable for transporting. It holds most wine bottles upright thanks to 13.4” interior height, and the corrosion-resistant metal parts stand up to the toughest elements. The drainage port with interior tether makes for easy cleaning. There is a stainless steel bottle opener included and the cooler  is padlock-compatible with multiple tie downs for securing in trucks or boats. The plastic shell is 30% post-consumer recycled material. MSRP $119

Ice Fort™ 50 Quart Hard Cooler

The Ice Fort 50 Quart has a high performance insulation that is 2” to 3.5” thick and keeps ice cold for days. The Microban ® antimicrobial protection on the interiors helps control odors. The easy-open cam latches and freezer-grade gasket seal the cold in and the hot air out. The clean ice storage bin holds 7lbs of ice or 8 cans and the rope handles with molded grip are great for comfortable hauling. The corrosion-resistant metal parts stand up to the toughest elements and the drainage port has an interior tether for easy cleaning when dumping the cooler. The cooler is  padlock-compatible and features multiple tie downs for securing in trucks or boats. It even comes with a stainless steel bottle opener. The plastic shell is 30% post-consumer recycled material. MSRP $199

 Ice Fort™55 Quart Rolling Hard Cooler

A high performance insulation 2” to 3.5” thick retains ice for multiple days.The Microban ® antimicrobial protection on the interiors helps control odors. 9” no-flat tires with stainless steel bearings can roll through rough terrain, making transporting much easier. The aluminum, wide grip cart handle helps for comfortable maneuvering and the easy-open cam latches and  freezer-grade gasket seal the cold in and the hot air out. The clean ice storage bin holds 7lbs of ice or 8 cans. The corrosion resistant metal parts stand up to the toughest elements and the drainage port with interior tether for easy cleaning when dumping. The cooler is  padlock-compatible and features multiple tie downs for securing in trucks or boats. It even comes with a stainless steel bottle opener. The plastic shell is 30% post-consumer recycled material. MSRP $249

Soft-Sided

 Chilladilla™ 24 Can Soft-Sided Backpack Cooler: With the TRUZip™ Leakproof seal to keep water in and the Microban ^® antimicrobial protection on the interior, this rugged waterproof welded exterior cooler has exceptional durability. The padded, ventilated back panel and the ergonomic shoulder and sternum straps make carrying more comfortable. The cooler features fun daisy chain features for accessories, and 40% of the exterior materials are made of recycled nylon from fishing nets. MSRP $119

 Chilladilla™ 36 Can Leakproof Soft-Sided Cooler: This is a leakproof, submersible and waterproof cooler features a rugged welded exterior for exceptional durability, Microban® antimicrobial protection on the interiors, and a SinchStrap™ carrying system that converts from a  comfy shoulder strap to cinch-down, several storage pocket. Seventy percent of the plastic lid and liner is made from recycled content, while 40% of the exterior material is made from recycled nylon. MSRP $99

 Chilladilla™ 42 Can Soft-Sided Cooler Tote: With performance insulation that retains ice for days and a TRUZip™ leak proof seal, this cooler tote has a wide mouth opening for easy access, padded crossbody strap for easy carrying, and 40% of the exterior material is made of recycled nylon. MSRP $149

 About Moosejaw

Founded in 1992, Moosejaw is a leading online active outdoor retailer with a large web presence as well as 12 physical stores. It carries more than 600 brands, including Marmot, Fjallraven and Prana and includes an extensive assortment of apparel and gear for climbing, hiking, camping, snow sports, yoga, water sports and biking. Acquired by Walmart in 2017, Moosejaw is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunities. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at https://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/walmart.

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Arriving at retail February 27th, essential camping gear designed for families, social campers and passionate sportsmen

 

Moosejaw, a leading retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, today is debuting the Moosejaw Comfort Camping Collection, a line of tents, sleeping pads and bags, cots, tables and chairs. Launching on Feb 27th, the collection is designed for campers of all levels who love to spend time outdoors without giving up the comforts of home or putting a big dent in their wallets.

“We want more people to experience the restorative power of time outdoors, so we created a line of camping products that make that as easy, comfortable and affordable as possible,” said Eoin Comerford, CEO, Moosejaw. “Beginner campers will appreciate the easy set-up and unintimidating instructions while experts will be impressed by the high performance materials to stand up to the elements and rugged use. All have thoughtful features such as enhanced weather protection, breathability, innovative storage, modularity, and portability. Inclusivity is built into these pieces with generous weight limits and sizes and approachable pricing. Recycled materials are used wherever possible.”

Comfortress™ 4-Person Tent – Fiberglass or Aluminum Poles Options

Sized to fit 4-people snugly or 2-3 comfortably in its expansive interior with nearly vertical walls and 6’ height with a huge front porch adding more livable space. Fiberglass MSRP $199/Aluminum MSRP $279

Comfortress™ 8-Person Tent– Fiberglass Poles or Aluminum Poles Options

Monster size tent fits 8-people snugly or 4-6 comfortably including an airy front room and a more private back room. Fiberglass MSRP $339/Aluminum MSRP $479

Slounger™ Reclining Camp Chair

Luxurious reclining chair with padding and ventilation in all the right places for the ultimate in comfort. Folds flat for easy transport with included cross-body strap. MSRP $69

Eatastic™ XL Camp Table with Adjustable Height

Large aluminum roll-top table seats 4 and adjusts from 25.5” coffee table to 30” dining table or 34.5” counter for the ultimate in campsite flexibility. MSRP $89

Comfster™ XXL Cot with 500 lb Capacity

Oversized 85” x 38” camping cot sets up in a snap for serene slumber for campers of all sizes with plenty of space underneath to store gear. MSRP $114

Snoozilla™ 30-degree XL Sleeping Bag

Super-cozy, oversized sleeping bag is 88” x 36” for roomy, restful sleep. The huge hood holds a full-sized pillow and is lined with fleece for temps as low as 30°F. Also available in a double. MSRP $74/Double MSRP $124

Ginormo™ 2.5-inch XL Self Inflating Sleeping Pad

Oversized 78” x 30” sleeping pad self-inflates to a beefy 2.5” thick for extra comfort and insulation from the ground. Snap to an additional Ginormo™ pad to make a double. Single MSRP $89

Carpet Diem™ Camp Blanket

Oversized 57” x 72” camp blanket with cozy patterned fleece on top with a tough, water-resistant underside. MSRP $29.99

About Moosejaw

Founded in 1992, Moosejaw is a leading online active outdoor retailer with a large web presence as well as 12 physical stores. It carries more than 600 premium outdoor brands, including Marmot, Fjallraven and Prana and includes an extensive assortment of apparel and gear for climbing, hiking, camping, snow sports, yoga, water sports and biking, Moosejaw is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores and clubs under 46 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2022 revenue of $573 billion, Walmart employs 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunities. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at https://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/walmart.

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Courtney Dauwalter Won the Transgrancanaria Classic 128K while Alayna Sonnesyn won the American Birkebeiner

Tailwind Nutrition athletes had a banner weekend on both sides of the pond with Courtney Dauwalter dominating the Transgrancanaria Classic 128-kilometer race and Alayna Sonnesyn winning the 55-kilometer American Birkebeiner cross country ski race.

Dauwalter finished the challenging course on the Spanish Island of Gran Canaria with a course record of 14 hours and 40 minutes for a 7th overall finish, and nearly 2 hours before the next female competitor. Fellow Tailwind Nutrition athlete Tyler Green placed third in the men’s category with a time of 14 hours and 6 minutes.

In Wisconsin, Sonnesyn won the skate ski division of “The Birkie” with a time of 2:27:35. Previously this season she focused on the FIS Cross-Country World Cup.

“I am just so proud of this team we have built at Tailwind Nutrition. This weekend’s results are a strong start to the season, and we can’t wait to see what our athletes can do the rest of the year,” said Maggie Guterl, Events and Athlete Manager at Tailwind.

Guterl adds, “The relationships we have built together have come so organically and I am grateful every day. They are pushing boundaries in their sports as well as changing their communities for the better.”

Green noted how Tailwind was integral to his race strategy.

“One of the keys to racing well was my nutrition plan,” said Green. “Any time I took in calories, I told myself, ‘this is an investment into the future of the race’. Once solid calories started to be difficult to take down, I always had a bottle of Tailwind (Grape flavor) to sip on.”

The win sets a high bar for Dauwalter in 2023. This summer, she plans to complete the prestigious Western States Endurance Run followed by the Hardrock 100 just three weeks later. Last year, Dauwalter won Hardrock while setting a new course record and also set a Fastest Known Time on the Collegiate Loop. Green will also focus on Western States.

Dauwalter was recently named the “most inspiring athlete” among North American respondents of an academic survey released by the University of Central Lancashire in England. She was named ahead of Kilian Jornet and Jim Walmsley in the study titled “Trail and Ultra Running: The Growth of a Sport, Culture, and Community.”

Dauwalter, Sonnesyn, and Green have been using Tailwind’s new Active Hydration, a hydration-enhancing electrolyte mix also includes Vitamin C, and Collagen to support overall health. It mixes clear and has a light, fruity taste. The new Active Hydration complements the existing Endurance Fuel and Recovery Mix products in Tailwind’s lineup.

For more information on Tailwind Nutrition and to keep up with Tailwind Nutrition athletes, please visit: www.tailwindnutrition.com, Tailwind’s blog and follow their adventures on Instagram (@tailwindnutrition) and Facebook.

About Tailwind Nutrition

Since 2012, Tailwind Nutrition has been manufacturing all-natural endurance nutrition products that are free of GMOs, dairy, soy, and gluten, are easy to digest, and support an athlete’s fueling and recovery needs during exercise. Owned, operated and manufactured in Durango, CO, Tailwind Nutrition’s specially formulated drink mixes help athletes perform and compete at their highest level without the worry of food allergies or sensitivities. Tailwind is all you need, all day. Really. For more information visit tailwindnutrition.com

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Named for Crested Butte legend, environmental researcher and advocate, billy barr, new lobby lounge and bar celebrates local history and serves as a community anchor at the base of the mountain.

Crested Butte, Colo. [Feb. 24, 2023] — Elevation Hotel & Spa – the only ski-in, ski-out resort located at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) – announces today the latest addition to its hospitality experience, billy barr. The full-service lobby bar and lounge will open to the public this month.

Named for local environmental researcher and advocate billy barr, and featuring decor thoughtfully inspired by the unique mountain culture of Crested Butte, the new concept will serve as a casual destination for locals and guests to gather for a coffee between runs or après ski cocktails and bites. Design details include memorabilia from the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) and Crested Butte Museum, including vintage art, skis, boots and snowshoes.

Daily service includes coffee and breakfast tacos from 7-11 a.m., followed by cocktails and bar fare from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The cocktail and bar menus offer a range of Crested Butte-inspired items including paninis and sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards and an array of craft cocktails.

Since 1970, billy barr has been living in a secluded cabin in the ghost town of Gothic, Colo., just north of Crested Butte. Barr has been meticulously collecting daily snowpack data and wildlife observations that have helped shape climate science in the Rockies. Now in his early 70s, barr continues to gather data for the RMBL, and puts more than 200 miles on his skis every season. The 2016 short-film The Snow Guardian is dedicated to barr and his work tracking climate change.

“We are honored to celebrate billy barr’s legacy with the launch of this concept,” says Nick Klaus, managing director for Elevation Hotel & Spa. “We are grateful that billy lent his name for our new lobby bar and hope it serves as a gathering space that the local community can enjoy for years to come. We hope to highlight billy’s environmental work and the overall impacts of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in this space through unique events and programming, while offering guests a comfortable, accessible place to enjoy a cocktail or snack.”

“Billy barr is part of what makes Crested Butte so special. For 50 years he has been his own unique individual, doing ground-breaking science around snow,” says Ian Billick, executive director of RMBL and Mayor of Crested Butte. “He has generated more international exposure for Crested Butte than any other person or institution, including RMBL. It is great to see Elevation ensure local awareness around just how special he is.”

The addition of billy barr comes on the heels of Elevation’s acquisition by hospitality company, WoodHouse, and the recent opening of its award-winning Mexican restaurant, José. WoodHouse acquired the property in August 2022 and continues to reimagine its potential, while connecting it with the local Crested Butte community.

About Elevation Hotel & Spa

Elevation Hotel & Spa is a ski-in/ski-out hotel destination located at the base of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado. The 262-unit hotel reflects a combination of outdoor adventure, mountain charm and contemporary design offering the perfect choice for travelers seeking enriching experiences and hospitality excellence. The property features a full-service spa, heated indoor pool, three hot tubs, and José Crested Butte, a full-service, slope-side restaurant which offers regional Mexican-inspired dishes, cocktails and an extensive tequila collection. José Crested Butte opened in August 2022 and is the second location for the José brand, which has its first location in Dallas. Fore more information, visit www.elevationresort.com.

About the billy barr

Named for a legendary local naturalist and researcher, the billy barr at Elevation Hotel & Spa offers cocktails and light bites served in a casual, approachable environment. The billy barr serves as a celebration of barr’s legacy and acts as an experiential venue for visitors and locals to learn about the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), the area’s oldest non-profit and one of the largest and oldest field stations in the world. Inspired by Crested Butte’s history and the community’s strong environmental ethos, the billy barr was designed in partnership with design firm Winteriors and features memorabilia on loan from RMBL and the Crested Butte Museum.

The billy barr serves coffee and breakfast tacos daily from 7 am to 11 am, followed by cocktails and bar fare from 11 am to 10 pm. The cocktail and bar menus offer a range of Crested Butte- inspired items including paninis and sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards and a range of craft cocktails. For more information, please visit www.elevationresort.com and www.rmbl.org.

Moosejaw, a leading retailer specializing in outdoor gear and apparel, today announced the finalists of its fourth-annual Outdoor Accelerator Program (MOA). Aimed at boosting startup companies and increasing diversity within the outdoor industry, the company received over 40 submissions, narrowing it down to 10 finalists. Voting for the final companies runs from February 24th through March 6th. Winners will be announced on March 16th. Beginning March 6, winners will attend the Accelerator through both remote sessions and on site education at the ICELab in Gunnison, CO. To vote visit here.

MOA’s mission is to help founders from diverse backgrounds achieve their dreams of growing a successful outdoor company. This year’s finalists include founders from historically underrepresented groups within the industry. The program provides access to educational and network resources, strategic mentorships, legal advice, and potential investors. 

“Being part of the success stories that come from each of these talented founders and companies is incredible,” said Eoin Comerford, CEO, Moosejaw. “As part of the winner selection process, we’re asking Moosejaw customers, non-customers, best friends, worst enemies, and all of our moms to vote for their favorite four finalists in the Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator. Through this program and in partnership with ICELab at Western Colorado University, a team of experts in their fields will help bring entrepreneurial dreams to life while continually working to find new ways to drive inclusivity in our industry.” 

Finalists include:

Fernweh Food Co. – Oregon

Fernweh Food Co. makes great tasting, plant-based and gluten-free dehydrated meals –  all in sustainable packaging. This woman-led team by founder Ashley Lance aims to reduce waste in the adventure food industry by eliminating single-use plastics that end up in landfills. Fernweh’s packaging is entirely omnidegradable, and will break down into biomass and CO2 no matter where it ends up. On top of sustainable packaging, the meals are delicious and entirely vegan and free of preservatives.

Symbiosis Gear – Colorado

Symbiosis Gear founder Sarah Berkeleya leads a woman-owned company that creates women-specific backpacking gear. Each piece is created specifically for women’s needs, as opposed to the “shrink it and pink it” approach common in  mass-market women’s backpacking gear. Symbiosis Gear takes women’s body proportions into consideration when addressing common issues with sternum straps, padding, overall fit, pack-to-torso length match, and hip belts.

Near Zero – Arizona

Near Zero specializes in bundled lightweight backpacking gear designed to give everyone the confidence to get out and go. Their patent-pending backpack design delivers quick and easy access to all gear using a labeled and compartmentalized storage system that is designed to maximize comfort and optimize weight distribution. Near Zero even builds standard ultralight bundles, making it convenient to get out there for newcomers and old pros alike. Founded by Scott Jensen.

B&Me NYC – New Jersey

B&Me is adaptive, patented outerwear that tailors to a woman’s ever-changing body from pre-pregnancy to beyond. B&Me creates stylish outerwear pieces that are expandable to accommodate your baby bump while you’re carrying and snuggles your baby right inside the garment with you once they’re born, giving you hands-free flexibility around town or on the trail. The goal is to eventually partner with other outerwear companies to bring this patented utility to your other favorite brands. 

WNDR Outdoors – Colorado & Vermont

Created by plus-size adventurers Arwen Turner & Kara Hardman for plus-size adventurers, WNDR Outdoors strives to increase representation of larger-bodied folks outdoors by creating technical outdoor apparel in true plus sizes. 68% of women in the US are a size 14 and above, yet the outdoor industry has historically excluded this population. Finding plus-size technical hiking pants that are high quality, fit comfortably, and have useful tech specs is difficult.  Brands that do include plus-sizes most commonly only go up to size 22 and these extended-sizes of the straight size (non-plus size) fits are not made with plus-size bodies in mind. WNDR Outdoors aims to change that.

Coastal Range Equipment – California

Coastal Range Equipment engineers lightweight, high quality, and easy-to-uses outdoor cooking gear designed to fuel human-powered outdoor activities. These stoves are designed by an award-winning designer John Peretti who set out on his own to further innovate in the camp stove space. Coastal Range Equipment produces affordable, simple solutions to backcountry cooking that are accessible to all.

Aspect Avy – Colorado

Aspect Avy combines technology and avalanche safety for backcountry skiers and snowboarders. Created by internationally certified mountain guides Jeff Banks & JB Leach, Aspect Avy puts avalanche prediction and forecasting on your mobile device and right in your pocket. With over 150 million people living, visiting, and recreating in avalanche terrain each year, avalanche safety is extremely important. Aspect Avy helps users avoid avalanches while traditional equipment helps users survive them.

CarToCamp – Pennsylvania

CarToCamp can help you turn the vehicle you already have into the ultimate car camping experience. CarToCamp is a custom sleeping platform for your vehicle that helps you make the most of the space you have through clever storage and thoughtful design. The platform is adjustable to be compatible with over 1,000 different vehicles. Think of it as a more affordable and flexible alternative to rooftop tents and converted vans. 

Dirt Series – Canada & US

Dirt Series provides mountain bike instructional camps and clinics catering to women. Their network includes more than 150 coaches currently offering programming across North America. Dirt Series provides women with extras like demo equipment, professional programming, and a multitude of programming types to support riders at all levels. They also offer all-gender camps to support the entire mountain bike community. Dirt Series has already catered to over 20,000 participants. 

PurTrek – Utah

PurTrek is a water filtration system built right into your trekking poles. PurTrek helps reduce the need to carry a separate filtration system and bottle while navigating terrain, helping you save weight. You can filter into a bottle or reservoir, or drink directly from PurTrek without having to bend down to the water source making it great for folks with difficulty crouching or kneeling. PurTrek filter delivers two liters per minute, making it great for a single hiker or a whole family. 

About Moosejaw 

About Moosejaw: Founded in 1992, Moosejaw is a leading online active outdoor retailer with a large web presence as well as 12 physical stores. It carries more than 600 brands, including Marmot, Fjallraven and Prana and includes an extensive assortment of apparel and gear for climbing, hiking, camping, snow sports, yoga, water sports and biking. Moosejaw is headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan. 

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Fee joins the Cascade Designs team with more than 25 years of management, sales, and marketing experience in the outdoor industry.

Cascade Designs, the parent company of MSR, Therm-a-Rest, Platypus, SealLine, PackTowl and Varilite, announced today the hire of David Fee as its new Vice President of Sales & Marketing, North America/Pac Rim. In this role, Fee will drive the overall sales and marketing strategy for NAPR across all of Cascade Design’s product categories and channels, ensure alignment across departments and collaborate on forecasting, resource planning and budgeting strategy.

Fee brings more than 25 years of experience working in the outdoor industry with top brands such as Castelli Cycling, Bowtech Archery, Inc., Garmont North America, Ford Motor Company, Yakima Products, amongst others. In his most recent role as US General Manager at Castelli Cycling/Sportful USA, Fee managed all aspects of US operations for both leading global cycling apparel brands. Prior to that, Fee worked at Bowtech Archery, Inc., a family of market-leading archery brands, as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. At Bowtech, Fee was responsible for all aspects of sales, marketing, service, and product line management for seven archery brands across three locations.

“We are extremely excited to welcome David Fee to our Cascade Designs team,” said Cascade Designs President Paul Connolly. “David is a collaborative, analytical and charismatic marketing, sales, and product leader with extensive experience delivering strong long-term growth in a broad range of premium consumer goods categories. His knowledge and experience working with so many respected and successful brands gives us confidence that David is more than equipped to help Cascade Designs continue our momentum of growth.”

“I’m extremely excited to join the Cascade Designs team. This is my dream job,” said Fee. “I grew up using Therm-A-Rest and MSR products in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. I still use them today. I’m particularly excited about working with a team that makes outdoor products in the USA. I look forward to working with this team to grow our world-class brands, and to ensure Cascade Designs continues to be a great place to work.”

Other roles Fee has held include Global Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Benchmade Knife Company, President of Garmont North America, and Senior Director of North America Sales at Yakima Products. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Boston College and an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management.

Fee resides in Portland, Oregon with his wife and two children. Outside of work, Fee is an avid runner, cyclist, skier, backpacker, and camper.

For more information about Cascade Designs, please visit: https://www.cascadedesigns.com.

About Cascade Designs^®

For 50 years, Seattle-based Cascade Designs, Inc. and its brands, Therm-a-Rest®, Mountain Safety Research® (MSR), Platypus®, SealLine®, PackTowl® and Varilite, has led the outdoor industry in designing innovative, useful, and long-lasting equipment, manufacturing the majority of products in their Seattle, WA, and Reno, NV, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland facilities. From the original self-inflating Therm-a-Rest® camping mattress to the first multi-fuel stove from MSR®, Cascade Designs has developed leading products that explorers, travelers, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and weekend campers can rely on to deliver optimum performance in the outdoors through exceptional engineering and quality. For more information, please visit: www.cascadedesigns.com.